“An alpha who makes his own rules.”
“Bu-but you’re expected to propagate Fireborn pack. You’reroyalty.” She said the last in a stage whisper as if she was letting him in on a secret.
“Are you against having children?”
“No!” she said. “I’d be honored to have your children.”
“Then?” He positioned the ring near her finger.
“You want me to marry you and help you rule Fireborn pack,” she said dumbly.
“That’s what this is, a proposal,” he said, gesturing toward his knee. “Although I’m beginning to think there is more to the asking than meets the eye. It would be great if you could give me an answer. These stones aren’t as comfortable as they look.”
“Oh… oh dear.” She tugged on his shoulders, but instead of helping him up, she somehow ended up on her knees in front of him.
He cupped her face in one hand. “Meredith, I can’t do this alone anymore. When I became alpha, it wasn’t by choice. I wasn’t ready. Every day I’ve tried to live up to the expectations of this role. But tonight is not about expectations. It’s about joy. I’ve never laughed harder or smiled longer than I have since I met you. You helped me find my joy again. And it’s about love. I love you, and leading this pack doesn’t make sense anymore without you. As I see it, I need to merge two worlds. Either I bring you into this world as my queen, or I leave the pack for good. Because I can’t live without you anymore. I need help. I need you. You’re home to me now.”
She placed her hands on his chest, searching his expression for any hint of hesitancy. There was none.
“Yes, Silas. Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll be your partner, and I’ll be the best damn alpha’s wife this pack has ever seen.”
He slid the ring onto her finger and swept her from the stones, swinging her in circles in the center of the garden. Meredith looked at the stars above and the crescent moon that resembled her tattoo. She thought of her father. She’d come to Carlton City to avenge his death, and she’d thought she and Silas had attained their goal the moment he’d slain Alex. But maybe there was more to the story.
As Silas’s mouth crashed down on hers to seal their engagement with a kiss, the stars above seemed to bless their impending union. And she knew to the depths of her soul, this was her future. Their lives would go on. And they’d be happy. Insanely and unequivocally happy. They’d have love and friendship and family.
Perhaps that, she thought, was their ultimate vengeance.
